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Deb-Steph. The definition of metastasis is "the spread of cancer from one part of the body to another." Not all Her2+ people have cancer that has spread beyond their primary tumor. I had a small (1/2 centimeter) breast tumor with no cancer in my lymph nodes. However Her2 is known to be an aggressive cancer and even a tiny tumor has millions of cells. One of those cells could have escaped. Even if it did, my immune system could have destroyed it, but I decided not to take a chance and had chemo. Again, the answer is no. Just because you have a HER2 tumor doesn't mean you automatically have cancer in another part of your body.
In ten years I am convinced there will be tests sensitive enough to design treatment for each patient's Her2 cancer. I think a number of us will be able to avoid chemo. I was just born too soon!!
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